Take the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Quiz
Do you ever feel down or depressed when the seasons change? You may have
seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This condition causes times of depression during
certain seasons. But the rest of the year, you may be in a good mood. This most
often
happens in the colder, darker months. This quiz can help you learn more about
this
problem and what you can do about it.
1. People with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) feel
depressed only during the winter.
You didn't answer this question.
You
answered
The correct answer is
People with
SAD have depression during a certain season of the year. Most people with SAD
are
depressed during the fall and winter months. Less often, other people with SAD
are
depressed during the spring and summer. This form is sometimes called reverse
SAD or
summer SAD. The symptoms can range from mild to so severe that they interfere
with
daily living.
2. People assigned female at birth are more likely to develop SAD than
others.
You didn't answer this question.
You
answered
The correct answer is
SAD can affect
anyone. But people assigned female at birth and young adults seem more likely
to get
it. People with SAD also tend to have a family member with mental illness, such
as
depression or alcohol abuse. To be diagnosed with SAD, a person must have symptoms
of depression that occur during certain seasons for at least 2 years.
3. SAD can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms are like
those of other illnesses.
You didn't answer this question.
You
answered
The correct answer is
The
symptoms of SAD can be confused with symptoms of other illnesses. These include
hypothyroidism and viral infections such as mononucleosis.
4. The hormone estrogen may play a role in SAD.
You didn't answer this question.
You
answered
The correct answer is
Changing levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin may play a role in SAD. The sleep
hormone melatonin may also play a role. Melatonin has been linked to depression.
The
body makes more melatonin in the dark. So the shorter, grayer days of winter boost
levels of melatonin. Many people with SAD have low levels of vitamin D and use
nutritional supplements. Vitamin D supplements have shown mixed results in treating
SAD.
5. SAD is more common in northern parts of the world.
You didn't answer this question.
You
answered
The correct answer is
SAD is more
common in people who live farther from the equator. Overcast days also make a
person
with SAD feel worse.
6. One symptom of summer SAD is weight loss.
You didn't answer this question.
You
answered
The correct answer is
Other
symptoms of summer SAD include sleeping problems, anxiety, restlessness, and poor
appetite. For those with winter SAD, symptoms include feeling "blue" during the
fall
and winter, a craving for sugary or starchy foods, irritability, trouble focusing,
anxiety, weight gain, and oversleeping.
7. A good way to feel better when you have winter SAD is to
get outdoors every day.
You didn't answer this question.
You
answered
The correct answer is
Getting outdoors regularly will let you get more sunlight. This can help prevent
SAD and improve your symptoms. You can also move your furniture and window drapes
around during the fall and winter to let as much sunlight through windows as
possible.
8. SAD treatment often starts with light therapy.
You didn't answer this question.
You
answered
The correct answer is
Light therapy
means using a full-spectrum fluorescent light from a special SAD lamp. You use
the
lamp for a certain amount of time, often for 20 to 45 minutes a day in the morning.
Your healthcare providers will tell you the amount of time needed. They may also
prescribe medicines or talk therapy (often cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT)
along with the light therapy. Treatment is started in the fall, before symptoms
begin. Treatment is slowly stopped in the spring.
Your score was: